Oh, we’d love to keep our kids as active as possible. And why not? Several studies have proven that doing sports is good for a child’s physical and mental health. But in a time when these kids are mostly glued to televisions and mobile phones, getting them into sports can be quite challenging. To help you do that, here are some simple tips:
- Let your child take the lead. If you read the stories of some of the world’s greatest athletes, they all had that initial drive to be in sport, and they succeeded because of their parents’ support. Don’t force your child into something that he doesn’t want to do. Let him take the lead on what kind of sport he likes to learn, and it will be easier for you to help him excel in his choice of sport.
- Start your child young. If you see that your child is interested in a sport, let him explore it while he’s still young. This will give him enough time to learn about the sport, build the necessary skills for it and eventually succeed if he wants to go professional in the long run. For instance, a lot of professional basketball players started with their parents enrolling them in kids basketball classes where they can have fun while being exposed to the sport.
- Encourage but don’t pressure. Children are naturally competitive, so your support means so much to them. But if you’ve ever heard about the term “stage parent” or have experienced it before with your own parents, then you know that being pushed too hard can sometimes affect your performance. So while you want your child to win, always encourage and show your support whether your child wins or loses in the sport he chooses. This will help your child deal with the ups and downs of sports better in the future.
- Invest in the right equipment. No matter what sport your child chooses, he will need the right tools and equipment to maximise his potential. This is why it’s very important to invest in these things to make sure that your child can optimise his performance and keep himself safe when competing. Having the right equipment will also motivate your child to do better in his sport.
- Step back and relax. While it’s natural for you to want your child to be the best in his sport, you need to set boundaries for yourself in supporting him. A lot of coaches say that kids who see their parents in games are more likely to perform better. Don’t obsess over your child winning to avoid putting too much pressure on him. Instead, enjoy every game and relax because your child surely has things covered on his end.
At the end of the day, it’s all about supporting your child in whatever he wants to do. Some children want to do well in sports, while others would like to start a modelling career. Whatever path your child chooses to take, your support and encouragement will surely mean so much to him.
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